The gospel writers record the voice from heaven saying, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."  Briefly the veil is drawn aside, and a chosen few are permitted to see Jesus, not only as the earth-born son of Mary, but as the eternal Son of God.  Moses and Elijah witness to Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.  In Luke's account of the event, they speak of the exodus which Jesus is to accomplish at Jerusalem.   A cloud, a sign of divine presence, envelops the disciples, and a heavenly voice proclaims Jesus to be the Son of God.

Immediately thereafter, Jesus announces to Peter, James, and John the imminence of his death.  As Paul was later to say of Jesus, "Though he was in the form of God, he did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and was born in human likeness.  And, being found in human form, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:6-8)

The Feast of the Transfiguration is held in the highest esteem by the Eastern Churches of Christianity.  The figure of the transfigured Christ is regarded as a foreshadowing of the Risen and Ascended Lord.  Beginning with its inclusion as a feast for the Episcopal Church in 1892, the observance of this major feast of Jesus has been adopted by most churches of the Anglican Communion. 

O God, who on the holy mount revealed to chosen witnesses your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistening: Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may by faith behold the King in his beauty; who with you, O Father, and you, O Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

For the birth of Kaleb Matthew to Matthew & Jewlee (Gower) Dooley.  for Katie Sarandria & Tyler Redes who are recently engaged to be married; Daniel & Natalie (Wiley)Rowland, Matthew & Juliann Krogh, Stephen & Kat Taylor, and Matthew & Krissie Wiggins who are each expecting a child.  

Departed

Jim Todd; Paisley (three-year-old friend of Emily Schultz who drowned)

Week of 7/26

Ministry/Worship Attendance: Sunday 8am (13), 9am (68), 11am (101); 

Worship Offering:  $6,140

Week of 8/02

Kidz Kamp & Worship Attendance: Sunday 8am (6), 9am (70), 11am (145); 

Wednesday 6:30pm (14)

Worship Offering:  $7,120

12th Sunday after Pentecost, 8/16: 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 & John 6:51-58  

Altar flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Susan Lynn Johnson by 

Linda Buchanan.  Founders' Chapel flowers are given to the glory of God in thanksgiving for Clifford King Harbin's birthday on that day.